Folding table and supporting structure therefor



Jan. 15, 1957 R. E. SCHI/EEBER 2,777,742

FOLDING TABLE AND SUPPORTING STRUCTURE THEREFOR Filed Sept. 14, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 5?; INVENTOR.

202672 Z SCZZQZEX Jan. 15, 1957 R. E. SCHIEBER 2,777,742

FOLDING TABLE AND SUPPORTING STRUCTURE THEREFOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 14, 1953 INVENTOR. fiazerz Z \5c%ze-Zer AVTTOF/VZ/S Jan. 15, 1957 R. E. SCHIEBER 2,777,742

FOLDING TABLE AND SUPPORTING STRUCTURE THEREFOR Filed Sept. 14, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Z0287; Sc'jzZe 7 BY a rwi x7 7dF/1/IVS United States hatentfi F FOLDING TABLE AND SUPPGRTING STRUCTURE THEREFOR Robert E. Sehieher, Detroit, Mich, assignor to Schieber Manufacturing Company, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Application September 14, 1953, Serial No. 379,763 7 1 Claim. (Cl. 311-92) This invention relates to table and bench constructions and more particularly to an improved table and bench construction of the type adapted to be folded into a recess in the wall of a room when not in use.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved table and bench construction which may be folded into a suitable wall recess so as to form the closure members thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved table and bench construction of the above-mentioned type which may be easily and quickly folded or unfolded with a of effort on the part of the operator; which may be readily detached from the recess while in the unfolded position; and which incorporates an improved and simplified leg supporting structure which facilitates movement of the table and bench units to desired location in the room.

Another object of the invention is to provide an proved table and bench construction incorporating improved means for folding the supporting structure and improved means for securely holding the table and bench units in the recess while in the folded position.

The above as well as other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claim. A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings throughout the several views of which corresponding reference characters designate corresponding parts and wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view of a table and bench construction, incorporating the present invention, in the unfolded or operative position;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the table partially folded into a wall recess and the benches completely folded into wall recesses;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the table structure illustrated in Fig. 1, with portions broken away;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a portion of the structure illustrated in Fig. 3, taken on the line 4-4 thereof;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a portion of the structure illustrated in Fig. 3, taken on the line 55 thereof;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, side elevational view, on an enlarged scale, showing the hinge construction connecting the table sections;

Fig. 7 is an end elevational view or the table structure;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view of the table sections folded into a recess, with portions broken away, and showing the locking means in the locked position;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary, sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 4, taken on the line 99 thereof; and

Fig. 10 is a side elevational view of the table structure, showing the same detached from the wall support and in a partially folded position.

Referring to the drawings, a folding table is provided formed of a pair of sections, generally designated 16 and 12, pivotally secured together at their adjacent and portions. A pair of benches are also provided, operatively associated with the table, each bench having a pair of any 2,777,?42 Patented Jan. 15, 1957 Zoe sections, generally designated 14 and in, which are pivotally secured together at their adjacent end portions.

The table and benches are detachably secured at their inner ends in suitable recesses 18 and Eli, respectively, preferably formed in the wall 22 of a room, and may be folded into the recesses when not in use so as to be inobtrusive, thereby permitting unobstructed use of the door of the room. The present invention is particularly adapted for use in school buildings and like constructions to facilitate the use of one room for a plurality of purposes, as for example, a combined activities and dining room, but it will be appreciated that the present invention is also applicable to other uses.

As best seen in Fig. 2, the table and benches may be folded from a horizontal position to a vertical position so that the outer table section Ill and the outer bench sections 14 form the closure members for the recesses 18 and 20, respectively. It is preferred to provide separate recesses for the table and benches in the manner shown but it will be apparent that a single recess could be provided and the table and benches so arranged that their outer sections form a complete closure for the single recess.

The table sections comprise top members 24 and 26, which may be formed of plywood, sheet metal or other suitable material, and are covered with a layer of formica, linoleum, plastic or other suitable wear-resistant material, while an edge molding 28, formed of aluminum, stainless steel or other suitable material, extends around the edges of the top members 24 and 26, the top of the molding 28 extending upwardly flush with the top surface of the formica. For the purpose of strengthening and increasing the rigidity of the top members 24 and 26, the web portions of a pair of metal channel members, such as 30 and 32, are secured to the lower surface of each top member by any suitable means and extend longitudinally for substantially the entire length of each top member. Such a construction provides a strong, lightweight, relatively inexpensive tabel top that is pleasing in appearance, durable and easily cleaned.

The inner end of the top member 24 and the outer end of the top member 26 are pivotally connected together by stepped hinge members, generally designated 34 and 36, which also function to pivotally retain the downwardly extending center supporting legs 38 and 40. Each hinge is comprised of a pair of flange portions 42 and 44, one flange being fixed to the lower surface of each top member at a position near, but spaced from, the adjacent transversely extending edge by any suitable means, such as by screws 46. A pair of bent arms, such as 48 and 59, extend downwardly and then longitudinally from each side of each flange and are pivotally connected in overlapping relation with the arms of the 0ppo'site flange by a pivot pin, such as 52, which extends through the overlapping portions of the arms and the upper portion of one of the center legs 38 and 40. The hinges are so arranged that the edges of the two top members 24 and 25 abut each other and the top surfaces lie in the same horizontal plane when the table is in the,

unfolded or operative position.

- When the table is folded, it is adapted to be pushed within and close the recess 18 in the wall 22. The recess is provided with a sheet metal lining 54 which covers and is securely anchored to the top wall, back wall and bottom wall of the recess while the side walls and face.

t which the table may be rolled from the recess 18 to any of the recess, including the lining 54-, T-shapedmembers 56 and 58, angle member 60 and bearirig members 62 and 64 are permanently secured together, preferably by welding, riveting or the like, to" form an integral unit which may be installed andincorpoiated-in the wall of a building as a permanent'parttliereof.

The bearing members are identical iiiconstruc tion, and

as best seen in' Fig. 9, eachof' the hearing" members is provided with an? inclined" slot 66' wh hf extends dbvvnwardly'and'inwardly, while the upperjend 'portion'of each slot is enlarged to form an openin'gfd A i Fig 4 a pair of rollers oncoiineetingme I d posed on each side of the tbprhemlSe'rZG; the 7 V eingj provided with enlar'gedicollai portions 74 and 76 which may be sininltaneeiisly rojected nsane retracted from the openings 68in thead acentfbea'fing' members when the table is in the unfolded positiohl w en are collar portions 74 and-76 are projected into theope'n gs 68, the earingmembeiss'eryeas batmnt Stops f prevent withdi'awll of he fabl frbfil the f eC eiS S The rollers79 and 72 travel in the slots 66 during'ithe' fdlding' and unfelding operatioiis to" guide movement of the table while theinrarged1 na p0 11's of the l esg nae h e et h r l-sent nce member; so as to retain the rollers in the slots and Hold the table n proper astries with respect is the sides a serhe innerend portions of the rollers 10 and are jour'iraled for rotation in suitable bores 78 and providediiitl1e outer endportion of a pair of oppositely dis posed Z L and extend transversely of the top member 26 through a passageway 86 provided in a housing" 88 flange portionsQt) and 92 secured to the lower surface of the top member byhany suitable means, such as screws 94. The inner end portion of the,

V bar2 is' pivqtally connected to the outer end portion of a link arm 96 byapin 98 which extends through a slot 190;]; the housing, while the inner end portion of the bar firt is pivotally connected to the outer end portion of a l ink arrn 102 by a pinl04 which extends through a slot in the housing. The other end portion of each link ar n is pivotally conncctedto oneend of a rocker armltlf which extends through oppositely disposed slots in thewallslof the, passageway 86 and is provided with s, n s a s ud lfl wh h e en r rendi a y om e Elan qit e r cker arm, T e Stud si imalas for oseillatiorrizi a btishingillZ fixed in the top section-2:6, the stud and bushing. terminating flush with the top urfa e of; the n emb s s n t itt u or h wise interfere with thenormalusage, ofthe tablewhile a hexagonal or no ncireular recess is formed in the upperend of the stud 119 and is adapted to receive a similarly ap key cn in sh Wn).-. ,e

Wi th,. the table iri the unfolded or operative position, the enlarged portions 74 and 76 of the rollers are aligned with' the openings 63 in the bearing members so that whenthe key is insertedin the opening of the stud lit} and rotatedin a clockwise direction' as viewed in Fig, 4, the rocker arm 103 is caused to rotate in a clockwise; direction about the of the stud 110. The transverse extending bars 82 and 84 are then projected outwardly by the link arnisQdand 102, respectively, thereby causing the enlarged portions 74 and 76 of the rollers to rrpi s thr u h hap en n t e ear stm mbe 6 2 and 64 to slidably secure the top member 26 to the bearing members. It will he appafrent that the enlarged pr n may e, i fi ifr- .thao i sswh t e table is the-unfoldedp osition by turning the keyin a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4, after diate the ends thereof By a horizontal, transversely ex tending r-bdlllSI The upper erid of' each legispivotally connected to the downwardly extending flange portions of a bracket, such'as 120, by apin" l-22 while' the bracket in turn is fixed to the lower-surface of--the top member 24 by any suitable" meaiis'. The inner end portion of the top member 26 is similarly supported by a supporting structure which includes a pair of vertically extending legs 124' and 126 joined intermediate. the ends thereof by a horizontal, transversely extending rod 1'21}; tl'ie upper end of each leg being pivotally connected to a bracket secured to: the lower surface of the top rn'erhbei" 261 As previously mentioned, the center legs 38 and 41? are pivotally connected to the hinges 3 4 and 36, respectively, and" support the center portion of the table when the table is in the unfolded position.

It is a feature of the present invention that the regs at the opposite ends of thetable are provided with wheel units, siich as 1'39 and 132, which areof'the non-pivoting' or non-caster type while the center l'eg's- 38 and 40 arep'rovid'ed with pivoting Wheels or caster units, such as 134. Witli such a construction, thet'able m'ay be dbtzichied from the recessed portion in' vthe manner previously described and easily and quickly moved to any desired location in the room by lifting one end of the table so that the i'aon pivo'tingwheel units at that-end are liftedflslightly on of the floor while the non-pivoting 'w'h'eel units at the other end' of the table and'the caster units secured to the center legs remain in the floor-engagingpositi'on; The table may then be rolled as any desired ocation and swung in any desired direction since tlie caster wheels are free to pivot. Such a construction also enables the table to move in a straight line whenit is' fo'lded into and unfolded from the recess 18 since the wheel units at' both endsof the table do not functio'n' as caster wheels but are fixed against rotation about the axis of the end supporting legs while the center legs assdciated caster units are lifted from the floor durthe folding and unfolding operation in a manner which will be described hereafter in greater'detail'. Anothr'advantag'eresulting from the use of non-swiveling wheels at the end of the table lies in the fact that in usethe tablecannot be moved a direction transverse to its length. This is important for school installations where young children may use the table.

Mains are provided for automatically maintaining all of the legs in a substantially vertical position as'the table is folded; iiito the recess. This means comprises a tie member 138 and a pair of struts 140 and 142. The lower eiid f the strut 141i is pivotally connected to a generally u shap'd bracket 137, the web portion of: the bracket lower surface of the top member 26 at a position near,

but spaced from, the transverse edge adjacent the top member 24. The lower end of the stmt 142- is pivotally connected to a generally E shaped bracket 139 which, inturn; is fixed to the rod 128, the legsofthe braeket l 39 projecting upwardlyand toward the central portion of; theftable at an angle of; approximately 45; degreesfto the longitudinal; axes of the legs 1-24 and 1-26. The distal end portion of the strut. 14 is pivotally connected by a pin 141 to a bracket 143 secured to the lower surface of the top member 24 at a position near, but spaced from, the'transverse edge adjacent the top member 26. One end of the tie member 138 is pivotally connected to the bracket 139 while the other end portion of the time member 138 is pivotally connected to a generally U-shaped bracket 145 which, in turn, is fixed to the rod 146 that extends between the center legs 38 and 40. The leg portions of the bracket 145 preferably extend downwardly at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the longitudinal axes of the legs 38 and 40.

As a result of the structure just described, the pivotal movement of the inner end of the strut 140 about the pin 144 during folding movement of the table will cause the strut 140 to move outwardly relative to the outer end of the top member 24 and pivot the leg structure including the legs 114 and 116 at the outer end of the top member 24 toward the plane of the top member 24. At the same time the pivotal movement of the strut 142 about the pin 141 will cause the strut 142 to move relative to the end of the top member 25 adjacent the legs 124 and 126 and pivot the leg structure including the legs 124 and 126 toward the plane of the top member 26. The pivotal movement of the leg structure including the legs 114 and 116 toward the plane of the top member 24 and the pivotal movement ofthe leg structure including the legs 124 and 126 toward the plane of the top member 26 occurs at such a rate during the folding of the two top members into the recess 18 that the legs 114, 116, 124 and 126 are maintained in a substantially vertical position during all increments of the table folding operation. Since, as viewed in side elevation, the legs 40 and 124; the portion of the top member 26 lying between the hinge 36 and the leg 124; and the tie member 138, in effect, form a parallelogram, the center leg 40 will also be maintained substantially parallel with the leg 124 and in a substantially vertical position at all times during folding and unfolding of the top members because of the efiect of the strut 142 in maintaining the leg 124 in a substantially vertical position.

The wheel units secured to the legs 114 and 124 at the ends of the table remain in contact with the floor at all times to support the weight of the table while the caster units secured to the center legs move upwardly during folding movement of the table and are in contact with the floor only when the table is in the completely unfolded or operative position.

As best seen in Fig. 8, a manually operated locking mechanism is provided for holding the table sections in the folded position within the recess 18. The locking mechanism comprises a right-triangularly shaped plate 148 having a perpendicularly projecting stud 150 fixed in the table top section 24 in a bushing 152. The stud 159 and bushing 152 terminate flush with the top surface of the table and do not interfere with the normal usage of the table or present a projection upon which persons might be injured when the table is folded within the recess. The plate 148 underlies the top surface of the top member 24 and the inner end portion of a locking rod 154 is pivotally connected to the plate near the apex while the inner end portions of a pair of transversely extending locking rods 156 and 153 are pivotally connected to the plate 148 on opposite sides of the stud 150. The longitudinally extending rod 154 is slidahly journaled in suitable openings formed in a pair of spaced brackets 16% and 162 secured to the lower surface of the top member 24 while the transversely extending rods are slida'bly journaled in suitable openings formed in the longitudinally extending channel members 3:) and 32. When positioned in the manner shown in Fig. 8, the outer end portion of the rod 154 projects between the pivotally connected end portions of the top members 24 and 26 and beyond the edge molding so as to engage a suitable opening in the angle bar 60 at the top of the recess while the outer end portions of the rods' 156 and 158 project beyondthe molding oh the side edges of the top members and engage suitable or wrench 166. When the key is inserted in the slot and rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 8, the plate 148 rotates in a clockwise direction about the axis of the stud 15d and moves the rods 156, 158 and 160 inwardly so as to disengage the rods from the openings in the sides and top of the recess and unlock the table sections.

While the benches may be constructed in a manner indentical with the table, except for changes in dimensions, in the preferred embodiment illustrated the means provided for automatically maintaining all of the legs of each bench in a substantially vertical position as the bench is folded into the recess 20 is comprised of a pair of tie members 209 and 292 and a strut 204. One end of the tie member 260 is pivotally connected to a bracket 237 secured to a horizontal rod 218 which extends transversely between the legs 214 and 216 under the outer end portion of the top member 324 of the bench section 14. The other end portion of the tie member 200 is pivotally connected to a pivot rod 225 which extends between the center legs 238 and 24% of the bench, the pivot rod 225 being disposed below the rod 246 which also extends between the legs 238 and 240 so as to reinforce such legs. One end of the tie member 282 is pivotally connected to the rod 225 while the distal end of the tie member 202 is pivotally connected to a bracket 239 fixed to the rod 228 extending between the legs 224 and 226 under the inner end portion of the top member 326 of the bench section 16. The lower end of the strut 234 is pivotally connected to the bracket 237 while the upper end portion of the strut is pivotally connected to a bracket secured to the lower surface of the top member 326 at a position near, but spaced from, the transverse edge adjacent the top member 324.

As a result of the structure just described, the pivotal movement of the inner end of the strut 204 during folding movement of the bench will cause the strut to move outwardly relative to the outer end of the top member 324 and pivot the leg structure including the legs 214 and 216 toward the plane of the top member 324. The pivotal movement of such leg structure toward the plane of the top member 324 occurs at such a rate during the folding of the two top members into the recess 21 that the legs 214 and 216 are maintained in a substantially vertical position during all increments of the bench folding operation.

Since, as viewed in side elevation, the legs 214, 240 and 224; the portions of the two top members 324 and 326 lying between legs 214 and 224; and the tie members 2% and 202, in effect form two parallelograms having the center leg 246 as a common side, the center leg 240 and the leg 224 will also be maintained in a substantially vertical position at all times during folding and unfolding of the top members 324 and 326 because of the effect of the strut 204 in maintaining the leg 214 in a substantially vertical position. i

As previous-1y mentioned, the table structure herein described and illustrated may be utilized in the benches by changing the dimensions of the component parts and the expression in the claim table structure or the like is intended to apply to either a table or bench constructed in the manner specified.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

:In 'a: fbldingfablereonstruc'tibn of tlie; like;-'thecombi-- natio'n -induding a pair of topzmemhers pivotaliyeonnected together for movement into" a common-plane Withlth'eit edges abutment, a pair of 'end supporting sti-uotures; one of said end supporting structures pivotally connected toeach of said top*men1bers at aposition spaced from the pivotallyfleonnectededges thefeofi, a 'centersupporti-ng st gueture" piv'ota'lly secured: to each. 'of said topmembers adjacent thelpivizitally connected edges: thereof; 'flOOFChgaging means carried by *each of said supporting: struc tures,,and:men's for maintaining sa'id"s'up'porting structiiresv in a' substantially vertioal po sition as the table is foIdeeLI- said 1ast mentioned' means comprising a strut pivbtal'ly conneoted at one endto one: ofsaid top fn'e'nlbets-,tlie other end of said strut pivotally eerrnectet to the supporting structure connected to the other of said-top members, a se'c0nd:stmtipivotally connected at one'end-to saidtither top'in'emben, the othe'nend of the second strut pivdtaliyconnecte'dto the supporting structure connected to 'said onetop memBe'r, au'ul'atie 'merijkier,v one e'ndofi said tie meml er pivotally connectedto one of said'end supporting stinctures, the other end "of said tiein'ember pivotally 'connected to said 'center supporting sti'uctu're.

2, TB 1,675 15 259 .2 3 4 mam- 2,354,941 2 51 91 :54am 2,546,223 2,563,319 aw? 96 9 6 2,607,647

De Puy. et a1. 

